Genessia Answering Machine

[dance_ix_dance]

You've reached Demyx! You know the drill, leave a message after the tone, yadda yadda yadda - unless you're that scary, ice chick! Then don't call me at all.
............am I supposed to hit # ?
/end message

Comments

[text]

[offwithhishat]

[ Jefferson felt a lot of guilt for leaving Demyx in the dark for so long. It wasn't that he didn't care about the kid, but experiencing torture, death and what came after was something he had found incredibly difficult to deal with. He had been avoiding a lot of people and it was only starting to become a problem he had the nerve to try to fix.

Finding the right words was never easy, though. ]

Demyx?

[ He couldn't think of any other way to begin. ]

Re: [text]

[dance_ix_dance]

[The Nobody immediately switched on his video feed. His reaction is a look of anxiety and then relief. He didn't know how Jefferson had his tongue back but it wasn't really the issue right now.]

You're....you....I thought you were dead.

[He was very glad the man was not dead. He wasn't right?]

You aren't a ghost are you? [It worked that way in Olympus]

[video]

[offwithhishat]

[ He couldn't begrudge him for wanting to see his face. It was harder to hide his insecurity that way, but the Demyx deserved at least that much. Jefferson would likely want the same were their roles reversed. ]

I know. I'm sorry.

[ His lips were taut and the way his eyebrows were furrowed betrayed that he was still struggling with both what had happened and how he had handled things afterward. ]

I'm not a ghost, no. [ He shook his head. ] I should have spoke with you sooner but... I wasn't sure how. Not after --

[ After Genessia had seen just how unhinged he could really be. He sighed. ]

But I shouldn't have abandoned you. You don't have to forgive me for that, Demyx.

Re: [video]

[dance_ix_dance]

What are you talking about? [Demyx looked perplexed. He didn't understand.] Why would you apologize to me after a psycho got you?

I...I'm the one that couldn't do anything. I couldn't even find you. [Maybe he's not meant to have friends. He can't even help them, he could barely watch the video. He's still not sure how he even mustered up the courage to go look and he's not sure if he'd actually seen Battler he wouldn't have ran.]

[video]

[offwithhishat]

Because I let you think I was dead. [ There was an edge to his voice, but it wasn't because of Demyx. It was because he was angry with himself. ] I was too much of a coward to face you or anyone else.

[ He didn't say anything for a few moments. Not until a specific sentence sunk in, anyway. ]

... you tried to find me?

Re: [video]

[dance_ix_dance]

You got...tortured, man. I wouldn't be thinking straight either. Besides, I'm not brave. Xigbar rags on me that I have great diversionary tactics, but I always run from battle, so it makes me useless. You're one of the only people that talks to me. So I don't mind if you're a coward.

[He understands being afraid. Or at least remembers vividly enough.]

....I just started walking and didn't stop. I don't know what I was doing I was kind of panicking. Makes no sense if you were already done for, but you know, you might not have been, and then a healing spell or a potion...[He trails off.]

[video]

[offwithhishat]

[ Most people would go to a lot of lengths to prove he hadn't been cowardly, but the fact that Demyx was not only accepting but willing to share similar sentiments about himself was a certain kind of bold honesty that Jefferson sincerely appreciated. ]

We'll be cowards together then.

[ He released a quiet, breathy laugh. It wasn't joyful, but more a way to show relief than anything. The pair of them seemed to bond over very odd things.

That the he cared enough to go to such a length despite his fears, though... ]

That doesn't sound like running to me. [ He shook his head lightly. ] Thanks, kid.

Re: [video]

[dance_ix_dance]

Heh. I never had anyone make me that offer before. In fact, they are usually just mad at me or they ignore me. [He grins. But it fades a little. Should he be worried? Most normal people didn't do too well going through what Jefferson went through and even not having a heart, just watching it had made Demyx feel sick.]

I still don't know why I did it. [It's true. This is an alien concept for him. He'd liked people before but he mostly looked out for number one.] I'm not sure you need to thank me. I mean, the end result was still the same.

[video]

[offwithhishat]

It's not an offer I've made before, but it still stands. [ He shrugged. [ Those people probably weren't worth your time.

[ The faded grin made him worry a bit. ]

Do you want my opinion? I think you did it because you're a good person who cares. The result doesn't matter. Why would I not thank you for caring about me?

[ He knew what it was like to be ignored, too. ]